Giorgio Chiellini is regularly texting 22-year-old Tottenham player and offering him advice

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin looked up to the former Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini as a youngster.

The Romanian was handed his first meaningful minutes in a Spurs shirt on the weekend as he replaced the injured Micky van de Ven.

And it is fair to say Radu Dragusin took no time to settle in to Premier League football as he helped Spurs keep a clean sheet.

Radu Dragusin idolised Chiellini

According to The Athletic, it was the Italian defender who Dragusin idolised when growing up.

Chiellini racked up a staggering 561 appearances for the Old Lady and has only recently called it a day after playing in America with LAFC.

And it is even suggested that Fabio Paratici saw similarities in their game.

During Dragusin’s time at Juventus, the veteran defender is said to have taken him under his wing and is even now still in touch with the Romanian.

Chiellini’s Tottenham comments

Aside from his tactical foul on England’s Bukayo Saka in the Euros final, Tottenham fans will be all too familiar with the Italian defender.

And not for good reasons, either. Following Champions League elimination to Juventus, Chiellini spoke to the English media about Tottenham’s inability to get over the line.

He infamously said: “It’s the history of Tottenham. They always create many chances and score so much but, in the end, they miss always something to arrive at the end. We believe in history. 

These are comments which have stuck as Tottenham’s search to end their trophy drought continues into its 16^th year.

However, regardless of what was said in the past, if Dragusin can become a fraction of the defender Chiellini was then Spurs have a real talent on their hands.

After all, this is a player who racked up 710 appearances across his career and lifted countless trophies.

Ange Postecoglou has some serious options now available to him in defence with Van de Ven, Dragusin and Cristian Romero.

It is suggested Van de Ven’s injury isn’t as serious as first feared, but it will be interesting to see if Dragusin can keep his spot after an impressive showing at Villa Park.